Effectiveness of art therapy with painting approach on facial emotional expression recognition of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

The aim of present research was studying the effectiveness of art therapy with painting approach on facial emotional expression recognition of children with autism in Isfahan The present study was a semi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population of study included the children with autism spectrum disorder in Isfahan. 30 autistic children were selected using random sampling method and randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups through targeted sampling and the experimental group received painting lessons during eight 45 minute sessions. Using Ekman and Friesen’s Facial Emotional Expressions Recognition Test (1978), the facial emotional expressions recognition was measured at the beginning and end of the therapy sessions. Data were analyzed using repeated measurements analysis of variance through SPSS software. The results showed that art therapy intervention with painting approach had a significant effect on the scores of emotional expression recognition in the post-test (F = 14.87, P <0.05) and its effect was not lost in the follow-up phase (t= -3.921, p < 0.01). Based on the findings of the present study, art therapy with painting approach was effective for facial emotional expressions recognition in children with autism in Isfahan and it is suggested that painting therapy should be used along with other therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder.